The Ultimate India Itinerary

June is nearing to an end, and with it we’ll leave India for destinations closer to home. Before we go, let’s say goodbye to this land of mysteries, trying to inspire you to visit soon. Here’s our Ultimate India Itinerary!

Amazing cities in India

1) Mumbai

The Gateway of India

Or Bombay, or whatever. Our first port of call in India. Even though it felt as if we had already been there, reading Shantaram, one of our favourite books ever that we highly recommend if you’re travelling to India.

Bombay was the India we imagined. Chaotic, yet charming. Colourful and smelly. An assault on the senses, a cultural shock, yet a place that we felt was very close and familiar to us. We loved sitting for hours by the Gateway of India, eating vada pav and pretending to be celebrities as people waited in line to have their pic taken with us.

I wanted to be a Bollywood celebrity, and we spent the whole week we were there pacing back and forth the Colaba streets, hoping to be spotted by an agent. No luck. Maybe next time.

Why should it be on your itinerary?

It’s a great introduction to India, less than a culture shock than Delhi or Calcutta. The colonial influence is still present, especially in areas such as Colaba and Malabar Hill. Wandering around the seaside promenade at Chowpatty Beach is a great way to finish the day.

2) Amritsar

A Sikh man bathing in the Golden Temple pool

We’ve already talked about the Golden Temple of Amritsar in our India in Five Sacred Sites post. Not only was it a stunning place, it is also a place where we’ve encountered genuine hospitality. A must-see for all visitors to India.

Why should it be on your itinerary?

Accommodation and food in the Golden Temple complex are donation-based, making it a a budget-friendly destination.

3) Leh

A mountain monastery near Leh

The main city in Ladakh. Leh. Oh, Leh. The memories of you are enough to move me. The sheer beauty of your mountains, the infant Indus roaring through the valley, monasteries perched high up on the mountaintops, wrapped in prayer flags.

Why should it be on your itinerary?

There are a thousand and one reasons to visit Ladakh, the northernmost corner of India, high up in the Himalayas. Wonderful trekking, the presence of Tibetan culture, the mellow atmosphere, the beauty of Buddhist monasteries… I could go on forever. Ladakh was one of our all-time favourites.

Nature in India

4) Nubra Valley

A stunning view of a Nubra Valley monastery

If Ladakh is the northernmost region in India, this is its northernmost corner. Nubra Valley lies on the other side of Khardung La, the world’s highest motorable pass at 5,359 meters (even though it is debated). The place is stunning. It’s a high-altitude desert, with rocky mountains, crisp air and deep blue skies, and a valley covered in sand dunes.

We travelled to Nubra to attend some teachings with the Dalai Lama. I have no words to describe what a moment it was, being close to a man that shaped the history not only of his people, but of the world as a whole.

Why should it be on your itinerary?

To take an epic selfie at Khardung La? If you’re so inclined, why not. Or just look at the picture. Need I add more?

5) Pangong Lake

Pangong Lake with prayer flags

Another place I have already mentioned in our India in Five Sacred Sites post. Pangong is a high-altitude lake in Ladakh, straddling the border between China and Tibet. It’s a very remote place; there’s little on its banks besides a few scattered huts and some camps to spend the night. The sight of its milky-blue waters between the mountains is one of the most beautiful we’ve seen. There’s nothing there. Nothing. Just you, and nature.

Why should it be on your itinerary?

This one is a little tricky. Because it’s beautiful. Because it’s remote. With only one monthly bus going there (on the 15th of each month), it does indeed require planning. You could also boast to your friends you’ve taken the slowest bus ever – it takes just over 12 hours to cover the 150 kms between Leh and the lake.

6) Periyar National Park

Wild elephants in Periyar National Park

From the furthest north to the deep south of India. We move to Kerala, the land of tea and spices, of the backwaters and colourful folklore. Periyar is a great national park, near the village of Kumily, on the border between Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The village was worth a wander, with loads of ayurvedic massage schools and spice gardens, but the park is what we liked best. You can either take a walking tour with a local guide, or a boat tour. We did both and loved both experiences. The boat will remain in our hearts forever, though, as it was there that we first saw a wild elephant.

Why should it be on your itinerary?

Unless you have plenty of time, it would be hard to fit both Kerala and Ladakh in the same itinerary. The solution? Choose one, then start planning your next trip to India. Kerala (and Periyar in particular) offers a great opportunity to get close to nature, and not everywhere you have the chance to see wild elephants.

Crazy Indian places and things to see

7) Pulikkali

A scene from the Pulikkali parade

One of our favourite festivals of all time! read our Pulikkali post to know more about it. The festival takes place in the town of Thrissur, in Kerala, around mid-August. Pot-bellied men parade around town dancing, in tiger body paint. Great fun!

Why should it be on your itinerary?

I’ll say that again. Pot-bellied men parade around town dancing, in tiger body paint. Sounds like a good enough reason, doesn’t it?

8) Leh-Manali Road

The Leh-Manali road, somewhere high

This was one of the most spectacular roads we’ve ever been on. It joins Manali, a popular mountain village in the state of Himachal Pradesh, to Leh, the main town of Ladakh. It was unpaved when we visited, and it took two days to cover the 400-odd kms between the two towns. We took a bus then a van, which drove up and down hairpin bends at hair-rising speed, while the drivers happily puffed on joints. Sounds scary, right? The landscape was absolutely stunning, and funnily enough, I was totally relaxed.

Why should it be on your itinerary?

Because it would be one of the greatest road trips of your life!

9) Indo-Pakistan Border

Crazy leg-kicking

Everyone knows India and Pakistan are not the best of friends. Visit the closing ceremony at the Indo-Pakistan border at Attari Wagah and you’ll see what I mean. It’s a Monty Pythonesque show of frogmarching, leg-raising, yodelling, staring and essentially trying to outdo one another. Great fun, if one didn’t know history. Leaves you with a bittersweet feeling.

Why should it be on your itinerary?

Because it’s surreal.

And to conclude… the most beautiful fort in India

10) Amber Fort (near Jaipur)

Amber Fort after a monsoon downpour

Rajasthan is full of forts, fortresses, citadels and city palaces. We spent three weeks touring Rajasthan, visiting many of these, and discovering some curious places; have a look at our Quirky Rajasthan post!

The place we loved the most in the state was Amber Fort, just outside Jaipur, the capital city. Jaipur, the pink city, is wonderful, and full of great sights such as the City Palace and Jawa Mahal, the palace of the winds. But Amber fort is what took our breath away. We visited just after a monsoonal downpour, and the pools of waters reflected the fortress creating beautiful perspectives.

We loved how real it felt. Couples kissed in dark corners. Women clad in colourful saris pushed their children on strollers. There was no sign of the poor elephants that supposedly ferried tourists up the (tiny) hill atop which Amber stands.

Why should it be on your itinerary?

Because Jaipur is a great destination to begin with, and this fort is stunning.

By the way, have you thought of India as a possible road trip destination? Check this article showing the 5 best Indian road trips and get going!

71 Responses

Nice list, India is so vast that no one can see everything that is there to be seen, your list covers some of the nice gems, and your reasons are great as well.Empty Rucksack recently posted…Tabo Travel Guide

Great list, but where’s Agra? You cannot go to India without seeing the Taj, it is obligatory! ;D There are just far too many amazing places in India for one list!Michael Huxley recently posted…Three Days In Kuala Lumpur.

Leh in Ladakh looks so unique and beautiful. That region is mentioned multiple times on this post, so you guys must have really enjoyed it. I might The above suggestions really are a nice mix of city, country and culture. Have you visited Goa? That is high on my list of places to see in India due to its Portuguese past, but I hear mixed reviews.Dave Cole recently posted…Wonders of Ethiopia Cultural Exhibition

Hey Dave! I didn’t get to go to Goa. The monsoon was on in full force and we decided to skip it, but I would love to visit for the same reasons. I also speak Portuguese and love Portuguese culture. Thanks for stopping by!

What a geat roundup on an month if India, here at The Crowded Planet. I still cannot believe that there is only one bus a month going to Pangong. It just brings a little feel to how remote this lake must be. Great! Sorry to hear that you missed an opportunity to make it big in Bollywood :). Next time!

Very thorough list of some popular places to visit in India but also many that seem more off the beaten path (well, for me, they do!) Elephants are my favourite animal and I can imagine how seeing them in the wild like that would be so special.Alli recently posted…Stand Face to 216 Faces at Bayon Temple

Thanks for featuring destinations in northern India. When I think of India I typically think of Mumbai, Agra and Rajastan and Kerala.You’ve made me aware of yet another dimension to this diverse country!Brianna recently posted…The architecture of Seville Cathedral

Wow some incredible pictures here. That first one if stunning. Nice to hear about India in such a positive light. You really painted it as such a diverse place with something for everyone. And no pictures of the Taj Mahal! You make me want to visit for the wild elephants alone.Siobhan recently posted…Snapshots of Little Cayman Part One

Hey Charlie! We were in India for four months and that is probably what we recommend for this an itinerary. Of course, given it covers several areas, some very distant from others (i.e. Kerala-Ladakh) so you could even split it into two or three thrips. Glad you like the flag pic. It was also taken at the Indo-Pakistan border.

The monastry near Leh looks beautiful and magical. Somehow I’ve never really been intrigued by India (am reading a book about a traveler there right now btw though) however I’ve been hearing more and more about it and even though we are not really city people, maybe one day we”ll make the step and travel there…antonette – we12travel recently posted…Movies that made us want to travel

I love this list (even though I’m so ashamed I’ve only visited one of these places- Mumbai!). I really love how you love India 🙂 And I’m pretty sure you’re going to be back. I hear Bollywood calling 😉Surya Bhattacharya recently posted…Surya in Sofia! 2 Days in the Bulgarian Capital

What a lovely post and a great itinerary! I’ve spent many holidays in India visiting my family but funnily enough, have hardly been to any of these – that’s often what happens when you go to see family, you don’t actually see much of the country!! I’m hoping in future visits to try and combine the two 🙂Shikha (whywasteannualleave) recently posted…The Ljubljananjam Food Tour, Slovenia

Great list! There is so much to see in India and I still haven’t been 🙁 I wanna be able to dedicate at least 6 months to explore the country and somehow always find other place where I stay even longer… But I’ll get there hopefully soon and now looks like I’m just getting info and impressions from other travellers 🙂Elena recently posted…NARA. In the shadow of Kyoto.

Wow. You´ve seen a lot of India. I was at the Golden Triangle and I can relate to what you are saying in your Mumbai section. Delhi can be a cultural shock if you visit it first. If I knew that I would have started with Mumbai too. 😀Christina recently posted…Walserstuba in the Kleinwalsertal

Great post! I’ve always wanted to visit Mumbai – but I don’t think I’d ever heard of any of the other places on this list. Guess I don’t know enough about India – but I know I’d love to visit!!Emily recently posted…Review – Peru Hop

You know, I met three people in the last week that said I ABSOLUTELY must go to India ASAP! This post only verifies their enthusiasm. It looks like a photographer’s eye candy and a story-teller’s muse. Only problem is…getting the visa in the home country…Rashad Pharaon recently posted…Visiting Cholon Through The Lens Of A Lover

A great list of places to visit in India with a few I didn’t know about as well which is great! I found out my ancestors came from India and every since I have wanted to visit. So now at least I have an itinerary of places I should visit when the time comes in the near future. Looks like you had a great trip around this beautiful country.

i’m off to India in 2 weeks and now even more excited. Thank you so much for the tips, i’m so pleased that we are going to Leh and Amber Fort, although wish i was now visiting a few of the other places you mentioned, especially the monastery. Your main picture is amazing, how have you done that 😉

Hey Brad. You should go to Leh too, now it’s the perfect time! The first pic was done using a technique called ‘panning’, moving your camera at the same speed the target moves. My husband did that, not sure I’ll be able to recreate it! Thanks for stopping by!

I already wanted to visit India, but your posts lately have really added to that need. It may seriously have to be in the cards after SEA – I’ll be so close after all 🙂Ashley @ A Southern Gypsy recently posted…Photos from the Olympic Coastline #SundayTraveler

This sounds like the kind of itinerary I would probably choose to see India. Great list! And I love the advice to plan your next trip to India if you can’t fit it all in. Love the cheekiness in this post. 🙂

This is a helpful post, I was thinking of heading to Ladakh in a couple of months, this pretty much confirms it! I’ll have to get some more information about that isolated lake, looks great!Jon @ jonistravelling.com recently posted…The Beaches of El Nido, Palawan

Pulikkali, looks like my favourite time to spent in India. I adore festivals of all kind. This one would be so much fun! If it’s fun and crazy, Jempi likes to be part of it! 😉
Great post by the way, very detailed info. A+
Cheers, J.Jempi recently posted…A posh beach picnic: culinary adventures and making new friends

My goodness, it looks like you covered a lot of ground. I havent been to India yet but I have been dreaming about seeing the Golden Temple for the longest time. Hopefully soon.Bianca @itsallbee recently posted…Bathing Beauties on Butler’s Wharf

Great ideas for exploring India- I’d love to explore the area around Leh. It sounds fantastic and it must be nice to get out of the cities for a while.Katie Featherstone recently posted…Friday Fix: Nanuya Balavu Island, Fiji.

I have been and am returning and will do so again and again. India is addictive. It has been too long and this time I will return with my kids. I think Amritsar has to be on the list. Everyone says it is so welcoming. Glad to hear Mumbai is a fascinating port of entry. May try that. Happy travels, Cheryl